Annual Security & Fire Safety Report 2014

Policy on Reporting the Annual Disclosure of Crime Statistics

The safety and well-being of all members of our community is of great concern to Wesley Theological Seminary. While we are happy to report that Wesley is an infrequent location for many crimes, a safe environment depends on the cooperation and involvement of individuals in safeguarding themselves and others. We encourage all members of the Wesley Seminary community to use this report as a guide for safe practices on and off campus.

The Office of Community Life prepares this report to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act. The Office of Community life relies on members of the community to report any criminal activity that they witness or of which they are victims to the Community Life Office or to any Wesley campus official (including but not limited to directors, deans, department heads, resident managers, advisors to students and student organizations and administrators). These reports are combined with information from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), to compile the information.

This publication contains information to aid in the cooperative effort of creating a safer campus. It contains specific information on safety and security including fire safety, policies relating to reporting crime, and crime statistics for the three previous calendar years. These statistics reflect reported crimes that occurred on campus, in any off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Wesley Seminary, and on public property that is immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

This publication is posted on Wesley’s web site by October 1 each year. We notify all students, staff, and faculty of the Web site via e-mail, as well as through informational postings within the campus. You can obtain this report easily by scrolling below, or by requesting a printed report.

All current or prospective faculty, staff, and students can obtain a paper copy by calling 202-885-8694, visiting Community Life on campus or by writing to:

Wesley has expanded its emergency-notification system to include text messages sent directly and immediately to anyone who registers for this service. We strongly encourage all students, faculty and staff to register for this new service, which notifies you if there’s a campus emergency. Examples include closures for inclement weather or other unplanned reason, safety or security situations.

Thank you for being a valuable part of the Wesley community. Please email Wesley Alerts to opt in to Wesley's emergency notification system.

Lock your room door at all times, whether the room is occupied or not, including while you are sleeping.

Report and close exterior doors propped open—they increase vulnerability to crime. If you find an exterior dorm door propped open, call a resident manager and close the door.

Lock cash, credit cards, jewelry, and other valuables in a safe place. Take these valuables with you during school breaks. Be careful not to leave clothing and other property unattended in lounges, kitchens or laundry rooms.

Lock your bicycle with a high-security lock. We recommend a U-Lock, and that you lock both the front tire and the bicycle frame to the rack.

Park your vehicle in a well-lit and populated area. If this is impossible, scan the area before getting into or out of your vehicle. Know your surroundings!

Get into your vehicle briskly, quickly, and confidently.

Avoid becoming too absorbed with the task at hand, such as keeping your head down at the key lock or occupying yourself with bags, books, or keys; staying alert can help prevent your becoming a target for crime.

Keep keys in hand to avoid unnecessary delay upon reaching your car.

Always plan ahead, even if you are late or in a rush.

Travel in groups or by public transportation instead of walking in unpopulated areas whenever possible.

Report suspicious incidents, activities, or persons to hall resident managers and Metropolitan Police Department immediately. Instant crime reporting or reporting suspicious behavior as soon as possible is essential in reducing campus crime. Never hesitate to contact either the RM or the MPD with any suspicion regarding your own or someone else’s safety.

Crime alerts are the way Wesley will give timely warnings to the campus community. Crime alerts are issued at the direction of the Administration to inform the campus community of crimes considered by the institution to represent a serious or continuing threat to students and employees. These alerts are generated by crimes reported to Wesley officials, or local law enforcement agencies. Crime alerts are provided in a timely manner to aid in the prevention of similar occurrences. Crime alerts may be posted on the Campus Safety web site, http://www.wesleyseminary.edu/campussafety.aspx, or sent to students via seminary email.

If a fire should occur, it should be reported immediately to the Resident Manager on duty after it is extinguished. The fire should then be reported to the Housing Director and the Director of Facilities.